DEFYING the challenges of the ongoing global fuel crisis, Davao’s tourism sector is proving its resilience with a powerhouse lineup of tourism events, headlined by the highly anticipated return of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) Philippine Travel Tour Expo (PTTE) Vis-Min Edition in Mindanao.
Set to take place from June 5 to 7 at the SMX Convention Center, this marks a historic shift for the annual travel expo, which has traditionally been held in Metro Manila for over three decades.
Dr. Mariegel Tankiang Manotok, PTAA past president and chairperson for international affairs—whose father, Atty. Francisco V. Tankiang, founded the association in 1979—emphasized that bringing the 33-year-old expo to Davao, in partnership with the Davao Travel Agencies Association, is a significant milestone for the region.
“The scale of the upcoming event is substantial, with over 80 exhibitors slated to occupy 1,202 square meters of floor space at SMX, targeting a foot traffic of 20,000 visitors,” Manotok said during a press conference held Thursday, April 30, at Rogen Inn.
Apart from B2C (Business-to-Consumer), the expo will also have a B2B (business-to-business) event, where PTAA has invited international sellers to participate.
PTAA president Jaison P. Yang announced that the expo will feature a diverse array of participants, including top-tier hotels, resorts, national tourism organizations, and major international and domestic airlines.
Notably, global giants like the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Disney Cruises, and various cruise liners and theme parks will be present to offer exclusive deals that are unavailable through online platforms.
Beyond international offerings, the expo maintains a dedicated focus on boosting domestic growth by highlighting the destinations of the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
PTAA executive vice president Evelyn Bondagjy shared that the demand for travel within these areas remains exceptionally high despite economic hurdles, noting that exhibition slots are already “almost sold out.”
In a move to support the local economy, Bondagjy clarified that the PTAA will not be bringing in Manila-based travel agencies for the event, choosing instead to focus on empowering and showcasing the expertise of local travel professionals within Davao Region.
The momentum for the event was further solidified through “PTAA KONEK Davao,” a town hall meeting held immediately following the press conference.
This gathering of tourism stakeholders, led by Department of Tourism XI regional director Tanya Rabat Tan, provided a collaborative platform for officials and local players to exchange insights and explore new opportunities.
As the third major travel expo to hit the city this summer—following the Travel and Leisure Expo and the World Travel Expo in May—the PTTE Vis-Min Edition serves as a definitive signal that Davao is firmly positioned as a premier hub for Philippine tourism and commerce.
